herpes

noun her·pes \ˈhər-(ˌ)pēz\

: a disease that causes painful spots on the skin

Full Definition of HERPES

: any of several inflammatory diseases of the skin caused by herpesviruses and characterized by clusters of vesicles; especially : herpes simplex

— her·pet·ic \(ˌ)hər-ˈpe-tik\ adjective

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Latin, from Greek herpēs, from herpein to creep — more at serpent

First Known Use: 14th century

Medical Dictionary

noun her·pes \ˈhər-(ˌ)pēz\

: any of several inflammatory diseases of the skin caused by herpesviruses and characterized by clusters of vesicles; especially : herpes simplex

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